Cross-platform app development with .NET MAUI (Xamarin)
What is .NET MAUI development?
.NET MAUI (Multi-platform App UI) is Microsoft’s cross-platform framework for building mobile and desktop applications that look and perform like native apps. Built on the .NET platform, .NET MAUI extends proven development tools with libraries specifically designed for iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows app development.
With .NET MAUI, your project uses one shared codebase instead of maintaining separate code for iOS and Android. This cross-platform approach delivers:
- Faster time to market – Build once, deploy to multiple platforms
- Lower development costs – Up to 50% cost reduction compared to native development
- Shared business logic – Reuse code across mobile, desktop, and backend systems
- Native performance – Apps use native UI controls and are optimized for each platform’s runtime
When cross-platform app development makes sense
.NET MAUI works for specific project types:
Enterprise mobile applications
Internal tools where your team needs consistent functionality across devices. Features like inventory management, field service applications, customer portals, and employee dashboards benefit from shared codebase maintenance.
Data-driven mobile apps
Applications that display and process information: dashboards, reporting tools, CRM interfaces, logistics tracking, and business intelligence apps where the core value comes from data handling rather than platform-specific UI features.
Multi-platform business tools
When you need the same application running on tablets, phones, and desktop computers without maintaining separate development teams for each platform.
Existing .NET ecosystems
Organizations already invested in Microsoft technologies gain additional advantages. Your mobile app can share authentication, business logic, data models, and backend integrations with existing .NET web applications and services.
.NET MAUI vs Xamarin: What changed
.NET MAUI is the evolution of Xamarin.Forms with significant improvements:
Single project structure
One project targets all platforms, replacing Xamarin's multi-project approach
Better performance
Optimized rendering pipeline and improved access to native APIs
Modernized development
Built on modern .NET with latest C# features and tooling improvements
Simplified maintenance
Platform-specific code organized in clear folder structure
Note: Microsoft ended Xamarin support in May 2024. Organizations with existing Xamarin apps should migrate to .NET MAUI to maintain security updates and access new features.
Advantages of .NET MAUI cross-platform development
Cost efficient through code sharing
Write your application logic once and use it across iOS and Android. Depending on app complexity, shared codebases typically achieve 70-90% code reuse, translating to faster development cycles and lower costs.
Microsoft ecosystem integration
Native support for C# programming language and seamless integration with Visual Studio development environment. If your organization uses Azure cloud services, Microsoft 365, or .NET backend systems, .NET MAUI provides natural integration points.
Simplified maintenance
When mobile operating systems update, you maintain one codebase instead of two. Platform updates handled by Microsoft's .NET MAUI framework reduce the maintenance burden on your development team.
Native app performance
.NET MAUI renders native UI components and delivers performance comparable to platform-specific development. Apps feel responsive and natural on each platform, with access to device hardware and platform APIs.
Strong developer community
.NET MAUI builds on decades of Microsoft developer platform experience. Extensive documentation, community libraries, and active developer forums provide support when building mobile applications.
Code sharing beyond mobile platforms
.NET MAUI’s code sharing extends beyond iOS and Android. When your mobile app needs backend integration, you can reuse code between your mobile application and server systems:
- Share data models – Same object definitions across mobile app and API
- Business logic reuse – Validation rules, calculations, and workflows used in both mobile and backend
- Security implementations – Encryption, authentication, and data protection code shared between mobile and server
- API integration – Direct .NET communication between mobile apps and .NET-based web services
This code reuse accelerates development when you need mobile apps that integrate with existing .NET systems.
Our .NET MAUI development services
1902 Software has built mobile applications since the early days of smartphone platforms. Our mobile app development services include:
Mobile app architecture consulting
Not every project benefits from cross-platform development. We evaluate your requirements and recommend whether .NET MAUI, native development, or hybrid approaches best serve your goals.
Custom mobile app development
We build native iOS and Android applications using .NET MAUI for organizations needing custom mobile solutions. Whether you're developing customer-facing apps, internal business tools, or specialized mobile applications, we deliver solutions built for your specific requirements.
Xamarin to .NET MAUI migration
For organizations with existing Xamarin applications, we provide migration services to .NET MAUI. We assess your current codebase, plan the migration path, update dependencies, refactor code as needed, and handle testing across platforms.
App store deployment
We handle the technical requirements of publishing apps to Apple App Store and Google Play Store, including provisioning profiles, certificates, app signing, store listing optimization, and compliance requirements.
Ongoing maintenance and updates
Mobile applications require continuous updates for new OS versions, security patches, and feature enhancements. We provide ongoing support to keep your applications running smoothly across device updates.
Development approach
Starting with business requirements
We begin with your business problem, not the technology stack. Our discovery process identifies what you need to accomplish, who will use the application, and what success looks like.
Proof of concept development
For complex projects, we build proof-of-concept prototypes to validate technical approaches, test critical functionality, and confirm .NET MAUI fits your requirements before full-scale development.
Integration with existing systems
Most mobile apps connect to existing infrastructure: databases, authentication systems, APIs, content management systems, or legacy business applications. We architect integrations that work reliably across platforms.
Quality assurance across platforms
We test on actual devices running different iOS and Android versions to identify platform-specific issues before app store submission.
Technology stack we use
.NET MAUI framework
Core cross-platform framework for UI and application logic
C# programming language
Modern, type-safe language with extensive libraries
Visual Studio
Primary development environment with debugging and profiling tools
Azure DevOps
CI/CD pipelines for automated building, testing, and deployment
Platform-specific APIs
Access to camera, GPS, notifications, biometric authentication, and native device features when needed
Why organizations choose 1902 Software for mobile app development
Experience since 1998
We've built mobile applications across multiple platform evolutions—from early mobile web through native iOS and Android development to modern cross-platform frameworks. This history means we understand what works, what doesn't, and how to make technical decisions that serve your business goals.
Full-time in-house team
Every developer, designer, and QA tester works directly for 1902 Software. You work with consistent team members throughout development and ongoing maintenance.
Active development across global markets
We're currently building mobile applications for clients in Europe, Australia, and beyond—not coasting on past work. Our team stays current with platform updates, framework improvements, and mobile development best practices.
Ready to discuss your mobile app project?
Whether you’re planning a new iOS and Android application, migrating an existing Xamarin app to .NET MAUI, or evaluating whether cross-platform development fits your requirements—let’s talk.
Commonly asked questions
When should I choose .NET MAUI over React Native or native iOS/Android development?
.NET MAUI works best for enterprise mobile applications, data-driven apps, multi-platform business tools (tablets, phones, desktops), and organizations already invested in Microsoft technologies. If your mobile app needs to share code with existing .NET backend systems, authentication, or business logic, .NET MAUI provides natural integration. React Native excels for consumer apps prioritizing UI/UX. Native development makes sense when you need cutting-edge platform features or maximum performance. We recommend honestly which approach fits your project.
We have an existing Xamarin app—do we need to migrate to .NET MAUI?
Yes, eventually. Microsoft ended Xamarin support in May 2024. While existing Xamarin apps continue running, you won’t receive security updates, bug fixes, or access to new platform features. Organizations should plan migration to .NET MAUI to maintain support and compatibility with future iOS and Android versions. We assess your current codebase, plan the migration path, and handle the transition.
How much development time and cost does .NET MAUI actually save compared to building separate native apps?
Shared codebases typically achieve 70-90% code reuse depending on app complexity, translating to 30-50% faster development and proportional cost reduction compared to building separate iOS and Android apps. You maintain one codebase instead of two, which also reduces ongoing maintenance costs when mobile operating systems update. Exact savings depend on how much platform-specific functionality your app requires.
Does .NET MAUI deliver true native performance, or is there a performance penalty?
.NET MAUI renders native UI components and delivers performance comparable to platform-specific development. Apps use native controls, access device hardware directly, and are optimized for each platform’s runtime. They feel responsive and natural on iOS and Android. Performance-critical sections can use platform-specific code when needed. The framework is designed for native performance, not emulation or web wrappers.
Can .NET MAUI apps access device hardware like camera, GPS, and biometric authentication?
Yes. .NET MAUI provides access to camera, GPS, notifications, biometric authentication, sensors, local storage, and other native device features through platform-agnostic APIs. When features require platform-specific implementation, we write targeted code for iOS or Android while keeping most of the app’s business logic shared.
What happens after the app launches—do you provide ongoing updates and maintenance?
Yes. Mobile applications require continuous updates for new OS versions, security patches, and feature enhancements. We provide ongoing support to keep applications running smoothly across device updates. For active clients, we handle app store resubmissions when platforms update, implement new features as your business evolves, and maintain compatibility as iOS and Android release new versions.
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